What Is Zydeco?
Back in the early 1950's, traditional Cajun and Creole music collided with the rocking Rhythm and Blues sounds that were sweeping the country, and a new style of music emerged. It was christened Zydeco, from a song popularized by Zydeco pioneer Clifton Chenier. The Zydeco we hear in Louisiana today is a popular and exciting dance music that owes much to Chenier and his contemporaries.
River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs bring the exuberant sounds of the steamy bayous of southwestern Louisiana to the hills of New England. The Zydeco Hogs cook up a spicy musical gumbo that combines the traditional sounds of the button accordion and washboard with a driving, syncopated beat.
Recent Hogs Sightings!
River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs have appeared at the prestigious Rhythm & Roots Festival in Charlestown, RI, the huge annual Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, the Great Blue Heron Festival in Sherman, NY, the annual Cajun/Zydeco Music and Arts Festival in Moodus, CT, the annual Daffodil Festival at Hubbard Park in Meriden, CT, the Roaring Brook Folk Concert series in Canton CT, , the Levitt Pavilion For The Performing Arts in Westport, CT, AutumnFest at NYU's Greenwich Village campus in NYC, and the 9th Annual Fort Lauderdale Cajun/Zydeco Crawfish Festival in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The Zydeco Hogs have opened shows for C.J Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band, Rosie Ledet, The Zydeco Sweetheart, Geno Delafose & The French Rockin' Boogie, Leroy Thomas & The Zydeco Roadrunners, Zydeco Force, Roy Carrier & The Nightrockers, and Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Cha's. The Hogs have also been called on to back Louisiana artists visiting the Northeast. Artists who The Hogs have backed up include Corey Ledet, Dexter Ardoin, Andre Thierry and Willis Prudhomme. The Zydeco Hogs appeared at New England's first Zydeco dance of the 21st century in January 2000, and have played at regularly scheduled dances in Arlington MA, Wethersfield CT, Ossining NY, Philadelphia PA and Rochester NY, and have also appeared at many town-sponsored Summer Concerts throughout CT and MA.
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Who Are These Guys?
River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs hail from the Hartford, CT area.
Popular roots music DJ and drummer River City Slim, the host of The Pine Grove Blues on WWUH, provides the beat. He has played drums behind Louisiana legends Willis Prudhomme, Sheryl Cormier, D.L. Menard, Dexter Ardoin and Jesse Lege. He has played with several Northeast Cajun and Zydeco bands -- Backroad Zydeco, Bayou Brethren, Dirty Rice, Krewe de Roux and has also performed on rubboard and harmonica with Slippery Sneakers, The Zydeco Zombies and The Zydecats.
Blind Mark Thompson, noted traditional accordion player, handles the squeeze box chores. He has jammed with the best at folk and roots music festivals throughout New England, being spotted onstage with such Louisiana luminaries as the Basin Brothers and D.L. Menard.
Guitar sensation Toad Eckert provides the melodic counterpoint to the accordion while jacking the energy level up a notch or two. Equally adept at churning rhythms and soaring leads, Toad also contributes his distinctive vocals to several songs.
The newest Hog, bassist and vocalist Andy Karlok has held down the bottom for some of the best Blues and R&B bands in the Northeast, including a two-year stint with Blues legend Luther "Guitar Jr." Johnson. During this time, Andy appeared on Luther�s M.C. Records release "Live At The Rynborn". His most recent gig before joining The Hogs was an extended run with Dr. Ya Ya�s Gumbo Party, a New England band that specializes in New Orleans-style R&B and funk.
Rockin' Robin Bean's rubboard syncopations and occasional flights of furious fiddling rounds out the rhythm section. Robin's let-the-good-times-roll stage presence brings things to another level, and he adds great harmony vocals to many tunes.
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Upcoming Appearances
For the full 2009 schedule, go here.
Summer is coming to a close, but The Hogs plan to keep the good times rollin' as the Rockin' The Zydeco World Tour continues!
Sunday, September 13...3:00 PM...Blandford Ski Area, Blandford, MA This is a fundraiser for the non-profit Springfield Ski Club that operates the Blandford Ski Area. It's an outdoor show, with the band at the foot of the mountain and plenty of wooden deck space for dancing. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the grass facing the mountain. In case of rain, the event moves into the lodge. Blandford Ski Area is located at 41 Nye Brook Road in Blandford MA. For directions or info call 413-848-2860.
Saturday, September 19...5:000 PM...3rd Annual Boogie On The Bay, Mayo Beach, Wellfleet, MA WOMR 92.1 is the number one non-commercial radio station on Cape Cod, and Boogie On The Bay is their number one fund-raising event. Join River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs along with several other great bands TBA at this music festival to help keep a variety of alternative music on the air on the Cape. Gates open at 11 AM, and music begins at noon. The Zydeco Hogs set will be second to last, starting around 5:00 PM. For directions or more info, call 508-487-2619.
Saturday, September 26...4:00 PM...4th Annual Brewfest, Ski Sundown, New Hartford, CT The 4th annual Ski Sundown Brewfest brings together two great traditions -- local brewing and red hot rockin' Zydeco! River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs play on the huge deck at the foot of the mountain from 4 - 7 PM. In case of rain, the event moves into the lodge. Ski Sundown is located at 126 Ratlum Road in New Hartford. For directions or info call 860-379-7669.
Saturday, October 3...9:00 PM...Maple Tree Cafe, Simsbury, CT With an expanded dance floor and an expanded menu, the fully renovated Maple Tree Cafe is the premier music club in CT's Farmington Valley. The Hogs are back to rock The Maple Tree with a real Louisiana-style Zydeco dance party! Don't forget that the Maple Tree is a full service restaurant -- come have dinner before the show. The Maple Tree is located at 781 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. For directions or info, call 860-651-1297.
Saturday, October 10...9:00 PM...Ace Of Clubs, New York, NY The Hogs take Manhattan! The Ace of Clubs is one of the coolest clubs in the Village. The Hogs haven't visited NYC for a long while, and are thrilled to be returning to the Big Apple to rock the Ace Of Clubs with a real Louisiana-style Zydeco dance party! NYC's own Johnny Ace & Sidewalk Zydeco open the show at 7:30 PM. The Ace of Clubs is located beneath the Acme Bar & Grill, a fabulous Cajun/Southern-style full service restaurant -- come have dinner before the show. The Ace Of Clubs is located at 9 Great Jones Street (3rd Street between Broadway and Lafayette) in the Village. Advance tickets are available online for a reduced price. For directions or info, call 212-677-6963.
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New Zydeco Hogs CD!
The fourth CD from River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs is available now! Visit our Music Page to order either the brand new release It's Hot In Here, or Rockin' The Zydeco World, the third CD by The Hogs.
For credit card orders, visit CD Baby for a secure, online transaction. CD Baby is the online source for independent music from around the world.
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Zydeco Hogs T-Shirts!
The official Zydeco Hogs T-Shirts are here! To order yours, check out our T-Shirt Page.
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Get the Zydeco Hogs' Electronic Press Kit!
River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs have a new electronic press kit. It is available by clicking this link: The Zydeco Hogs' EPK
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Here's a sample from our Photo Gallery:
Andy and Slim onstage at the Rhythm & Roots Festival in Charlestown, RI - August 30, 2008.
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